Gene capable of increasing seed protein content and method of use thereof

ABSTRACT

According to the present invention, a gene having a novel function that can cause an increase or decrease in seed protein content is searched for. A chimeric protein obtained by fusing a transcription factor consisting of a protein comprising an amino acid sequence shown in any of the even-numbered SEQ ID NOS: 1 to 76 and a functional peptide capable of converting an arbitrary transcription factor into a transcriptional repressor or a transcription factor consisting of a protein comprising an amino acid sequence shown in any of the even-numbered SEQ ID NOS: 77 to 84 is expressed in a plant.

BACKGROUND ART

In order to change the amount of protein in seeds, the following havebeen conventionally used: (1) an improved cultivation method; (2) amethod for processing harvested seeds, and particularly grains such asrice grains, with an acid or bacterium; (3) molecular breeding usingmarkers; (4) mutant screening; (5) gene recombination; and othermethods.

Problems relating to the above methods and the object achieved by thepresent invention are described below.

According to the method (1) above, it is possible to change the proteinamount, although it is only possible to increase or decrease the amountto a slight extent. In addition, although the method (2) above iseffective to a certain extent for reducing the protein amount,processing of harvested seeds is labor- and time-consuming. Further,advantageous results such as an increase in protein amount cannot beobtained according to the method (2) above. According to the method (3)above, the protein amount is determined to be a quantitative trait. Inorder to modify such trait by a conventional breeding method, it isnecessary to identify a plurality of gene loci that contribute highly totrait expression by QTL analysis, to specify the causative gene at eachgene locus, and to introduce each causative gene into a desired varietyby crossing. Therefore, the method (3) above is also labor- andtime-consuming. With the method (4) above, a low-glutelin rice line suchas LGC-1 is bred. However, the amount of remaining gulutelin accountsfor 30% to 50% of that in the original variety. In addition, there areproblematic points common to low-glutelin rice lines. In fact, theamount of glutelin, which is an easily digestible protein, decreases tosignificantly below the level found in the original variety. However,this in turn causes a significant increase in the amount of prolamin,which is an indigestible protein. Therefore, the method (4) above cannotbe evaluated as a method for reducing total seed protein content. In thecase of the method (5) above, it has been reported that the totalexpression level of the prolamin multigene group was remarkably reduced,resulting in reduction of the protein content in rice seeds (PatentDocument 1:WO2004/056993). However, in this case, the decrease in thetotal protein content is 15% at maximum, although the amount of prolaminitself decreases to 50% or less of the original amount. In addition,regarding the method (5) above, it has been reported that transcriptionfactors specified by AT1G04550, AT1G66390, AT5G13330, and At2g30420 wereoverexpressed in Arabidopsis thaliana seeds, which resulted in,respectively, 25%, 14%, 39%, and 17% increases in protein content. Also,it has been reported that overexpression of a transcription factorspecified by At2g47460 resulted in a decrease in the seed storageprotein content of 13% (Patent Document 2: WO 01/35727).

In spite of the development of the above molecular breeding methods forthe improvement of a variety of traits, there are still no practicallyavailable techniques to increase or decrease seed protein content.

As reasons for the above, it is considered that truly excellent genesremain undiscovered, and that new recombinant varieties that have beenconfirmed to have desirable effects in the test phase cannot exhibitexpected effects upon practical use in differerent environments. Inaddition, a number of genes are involved in the expression ofquantitative traits such as seed protein content in different steps inthe control system, the metabolizing system, and other systems. Thus, ithas been difficult to discover or develop truly excellent genes capableof improving quantitative traits. In order to solve such problems, anobject of the present invention is to find a novel gene exhibitingremarkably high effects. Another object of the present invention is todevelop a gene capable of exerting effects in a pracitcal environment toan extent comparable to the effects exereted in the test phase.

Citation List Patent Literature Patent Document 1: WO2004/056993 PatentDocument 2: WO 01/35727 SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present inventionis to provide a technique for searching for a gene having a novelfunction that can cause an increase or decrease in seed protein contentso as to improve such feature of a plant.

Solution to Problem

As a result of intensive studies to achive the above objects, thepresent inventors found that it is possible to improve variousquantitative traits and particularly to increase or decrease seedprotein content via induction of expression of a chimeric proteinobtained by fusing a particular transcription factor and a functionalpeptide capable of converting an arbitrary transcription factor into atranscriptional repressor (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a“repressor domain”), introduction of a particular gene encoding aparticular transcription factor, or modification of an expressioncontrol region of an endogenous gene corresponding to the gene. This hasled to the completion of the present invention.

The plant of the present invention is obtained by inducing expression ofa chimeric protein in a plant, such chimeric protein obtained by fusinga transcription factor consisting of any one of the following proteins(a) to (c) and a functional peptide capable of converting an arbitrarytranscription factor into a transcriptional repressor, introduicng agene encoding a transcription factor consisting of any one of thefollowing proteins (d) to (f) into a plant, or modifying an expressioncontrol region of an endogenous gene corresponding to the gene in aplant.

(a) A protein comprising an amino acid sequence shown in any of theeven-numbered SEQ ID NOS: 1 to 76(b) A protein having transactivation activity and comprising an aminoacid sequence that has a deletion, a substitution, an addition, or aninsertion of one or a plurality of amino acids with respect to an aminoacid sequence shown in any of the even-numbered SEQ ID NOS: 1 to 76.(c) A protein having transactivation activity encoded by apolynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent conditions to apolynucleotide consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to anucleotide sequence shown in any of the odd-numbered SEQ ID NOS: 1 to76.(d) A protein comprising an amino acid sequence shown in any of theeven-numbered SEQ SEQ ID NOS: 77 to 84.(e) A protein having transactivation activity and comprising an aminoacid sequence that has a deletion, a substitution, an addition, or aninsertion of one or a plurality of amino acids with respect to the aminoacid sequence shown in any of the even-numbered SEQ ID NOS: 77 to 84.(f) A protein having transactivation activity encoded by apolynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent conditions to apolynucleotide consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to anucleotide sequence shown in any of the odd-numbered SEQ ID NOS: 77 to84.

Preferably, the fusion of a functional peptide with a predeterminedtranscription factor causes repression of transcriptional regulatoryactivity, and particularly, transactivation activity, of thetranscription factor in the plant of the present invention. Examples ofthe above functional peptide used herein include peptides expressed bythe following formulae (1) to (8).

(1) X1-Leu-Asp-Leu-X2-Leu-X3

(where X1 denotes a set of 0 to 10 amino acid residues, X2 denotes Asnor Glu, and X3 denotes a set of at least 6 amino acid residues.)

(2) Y1-Phe-Asp-Leu-Asn-Y2-Y3

(where Y1 denotes a set of 0 to 10 amino acid residues, Y2 denotes Pheor Ile, and Y3 denotes a set of at least 6 amino acid residues.)

(3) Z1-Asp-Leu-Z2-Leu-Arg-Leu-Z3

(where Z1 denotes Leu, Asp-Leu, or Leu-Asp-Leu, Z2 denotes Glu, Gln, orAsp, and Z3 denotes a set of 0 to 10 amino acid residues.)

(4) Asp-Leu-Z4-Leu-Arg-Leu

(where Z4 denotes Glu, Gln, or Asp.)

(5) α1-Leu-β1-Leu-yγ1-Leu (6) α1-Leu-β1-Leu-γ2-Leu (7)α1-Leu-β2-Leu-Arg-Leu (8) β2-Leu-β1-Leu-Arg-Leu

(where α1 denotes Asp, Asn, Glu, Gln, Thr, or Ser, α2 denotes Asn, Glu,Gln, Thr, or Ser, β1 denotes Asp, Gln, Asn, Arg, Glu, Thr, Ser, or His,β2 denotes Asn, Arg, Thr, Ser, or His, γ1 denotes Arg, Gln, Asn, Thr,Ser, His, Lys, or Asp, and γ2 denotes Gln, Asn, Thr, Ser, His, Lys, orAsp in formulae (5) to (8).)

In addition, the plant of the present invention provides significantimprovement or reduction of productivity of a protein contained inseeds. Here, the expression “significant improvement or reduction”indicates that the plant of the present invention allows an increase ordecrease in the seed protein content associated with a statisticallysignificant difference when compared in terms of material productivitywith a plant in which the above chimeric protein is not expressed.

Meanwhile, according to the present invention, the above chimericprotein, the gene encoding the chimeric protein, an expression vectorcomprising the gene, and a transformant comprising the gene can beprovided.

This description includes part or all of the contents as disclosed inthe description and/or drawings of Japanese Patent Application No.2009-135195, which is a priority document of the present application.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

The seed protein content is improved or reduced in the plant of thepresent invention. Therefore, the use of the plant of the presentinvention enables mass production of a desired protein in seeds of theplant. Alternatively, seeds that exhibit a significant reduction in thecontent of a protein contained as an impurity or an allergen can beproduced.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be described in detail as follows.

The plant of the present invention is a plant in which a chimericprotein obtained by fusing a predetermined transcription factor and afunctional peptide capable of converting an arbitrary transcriptionfactor into a transcriptional repressor is expressed, a plant in which agene encoding a predetermined transcription factor is present as aresult of gene introduction, or a plant in which an expression controlregion of an endogenous gene corresponding to the gene is modified. Theplant of the present invention is found to exhibit significantimprovement or reduction of the productivity of seed protein whencompared with a wild-type plant. Specifically, the plant of the presentinvention is produced by causing a transcription factor to be expressedin the form of a chimeric protein with the functional peptide in adesired plant, introducing a gene encoding a predetermined transcriptionfactor into a desired plant, or modifying an expression control regionof an endogenous gene corresponding to the gene in a desired plant so asto significantly improve or reduce the protein content in seeds of thedesired plant. Here, the expression level of the gene can besignificantly increased compared with that in a wild-type plant byexogenously introducing a predetermined transcription factor into aplant or modifying an expression control region of an endogenous genecorresponding to the gene in a plant. The plant according to the presentinvention may be produced by causing the expression of the predeterminedtranscription factor in all plant tissues, or at least in some planttissues. Here, the term “plant tissue(s)” is meant to include plantorgan(s) such as leaves, stems, seeds, roots, and flowers.

Also, the term “expression control region” refers to a promoter regionto which RNA polymerase binds and a region to which anothertranscription factor binds. A transcriptional regulatory region ispreferably modified by substituting a promoter region, for example,among endogenous transcriptional regulatory regions with a promoterregion that enables a higher expression level. In addition, whenreplacing, for example, a promoter region with a promoter region thatenables a higher expression level, it becomes possible to causeoverexpression of the predetermined transcription factor. Further, theterm “overexpression” used herein also indicates a case in which a geneencoding a predetermined transcription factor present in a plant as aresult of gene introduction is transcribed and thus is expressed at alevel at which the gene can be confirmed as a transcription product.

In particular, preferably, the transactivation activity of atranscription factor is repressed in the plant of the present inventionby fusing the factor with the above functional peptide. In other words,when a chimeric protein obtained by fusing a transcription factor withthe functional peptide is expressed in the plant of the presentinvention, this preferably results in expression of transcriptionrepression effects originally imparted to the functional peptide as adominant trait.

A protein contained in a plant used herein may be any protein originallyaccumulated in seeds and any protein encoded by a gene exogenouslyintroduced into the plant. In addition, genes to be exogenouslyintroduced are introduced under control of, for example, a publiclyknown seed-specific expression promoter, thereby allowing efficientexpression of the genes in seeds.

In particular, if the seed protein content increases, purification costor transport cost can be reduced. Thus, such plant is highlyindustrially applicable. Meanwhile, a protein contained in seeds mightbecome an impurity or allergen, depending on the usage of seeds.Therefore, if the productivity of a protein contained in seedsdecreases, the impurity content or the allergen content also decreases.In such case, the seeds are highly industrially applicable.

Plants used herein are not particularly limited, and thus any plant canbe used as a target plant. Examples of an available target plant includesoybean, sesame, olive oil, coconut, rice, cotton, sunflower, corn,sugarcane, Jatropha, palm, tobacco, safflower, and rapeseed. Also,Arabidopsis thaliana, which has been widely used as an biological modelfor plant gene analysis and for which gene expression analysis methodshave been established, can be used as a target plant.

In addition, transcription repression activity of a chimeric proteincomprising a transcription factor is activity of recognizing a cissequence that is recognized by the transcription factor or a cissequence of a different transcription factor that is analogous to such acis sequence so as to actively repress the expression of downstreamgenes. Thus, such chimeric protein can also be called a “transcriptionalrepressor.” A method for causing a chimeric protein comprising atranscription factor to have transcription repression activity is notparticularly limited. However, the most preferable method may be amethod for constructing a chimeric protein (fusion protein) by adding arepressor domain sequence or an SRDX sequence thereto.

In the above method, as a repressor domain sequence, a variety of aminoacid sequences discovered by the present inventors, each of whichconstitutes a peptide capable of converting an arbitrary transcriptionfactor into a transcriptional repressor, can be used. For example, thefollowing can be referred to for a method using a repressor domainsequence: JP Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2001-269177 A; JP PatentPublication (Kokai) No. 2001-269178 A; JP Patent Publication (Kokai) No.2001-292776 A; JP Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2001-292777 A; JPPatent Publication (Kokai) No. 2001-269176 A; JP Patent Publication(Kokai) No. 2001-269179 A; WO03/055903; Ohta, M., Matsui, K., Hiratsu,K., Shinshi, H. and Ohme-Takagi, M., The Plant Cell, Vol. 13, 1959-1968,August, 2001; and Hiratsu, K., Ohta, M., Matsui, K., or Ohme-Takagi, M.,FEBS Letters 514(2002) 351-354. A repressor domain sequence can beexcised from a Class II ERF (Ethylene Responsive Element Binding Factor)protein or a plant zinc finger protein (zinc finger protein such asArabidopsis thaliana SUPERMAN protein). The sequence has a very simplestructure.

Examples of a transcription factor constituting a chimeric protein to beexpressed include transcription factors specified by AGI codes forArabidopsis thaliana listed in tables 1 and 2. In addition, anytranscription factor listed in table 1 causes a significant increase inseed protein content when a chimeric protein comprising thetranscription factor and a repressor domain is expressed in a plant.Meanwhile, any transcription factor listed in table 2 causes asignificant decrease in seed protein content when a chimeric proteincomprising the transcription factor and a repressor domain is expressedin a plant.

TABLE 1 Nucleotide Amino acid AGI code sequence sequence AT2G23760 SEQID NO: 1 SEQ ID NO: 2 AT1G18330 SEQ ID NO: 3 SEQ ID NO: 4 AT2G02070 SEQID NO: 5 SEQ ID NO: 6 AT1G12980 SEQ ID NO: 7 SEQ ID NO: 8 AT5G62380 SEQID NO: 9 SEQ ID NO: 10 AT4G23750 SEQ ID NO: 11 SEQ ID NO: 12 AT4G32800SEQ ID NO: 13 SEQ ID NO: 14 AT1G24590 SEQ ID NO: 15 SEQ ID NO: 16AT5G07690 SEQ ID NO: 17 SEQ ID NO: 18 AT1G71692 SEQ ID NO: 19 SEQ ID NO:20 AT1G52150 SEQ ID NO: 21 SEQ ID NO: 22 AT3G25890 SEQ ID NO: 23 SEQ IDNO: 24 AT1G09540 SEQ ID NO: 25 SEQ ID NO: 26 AT5G22380 SEQ ID NO: 27 SEQID NO: 28 AT2G44940 SEQ ID NO: 29 SEQ ID NO: 30 AT5G41030 SEQ ID NO: 31SEQ ID NO: 32 AT5G60970 SEQ ID NO: 33 SEQ ID NO: 34 AT5G35550 SEQ ID NO:35 SEQ ID NO: 36 AT1G60240 SEQ ID NO: 37 SEQ ID NO: 38 AT2G23290 SEQ IDNO: 39 SEQ ID NO: 40 AT5G14000 SEQ ID NO: 41 SEQ ID NO: 42 AT1G19490 SEQID NO: 43 SEQ ID NO: 44

TABLE 2 Nucleotide Amino acid AGI code sequence sequence AT1G32770 SEQID NO: 45 SEQ ID NO: 46 AT5G47220 SEQ ID NO: 47 SEQ ID NO: 48 AT1G56650SEQ ID NO: 49 SEQ ID NO: 50 AT1G63910 SEQ ID NO: 51 SEQ ID NO: 52AT3G15510 SEQ ID NO: 53 SEQ ID NO: 54 AT2G45680 SEQ ID NO: 55 SEQ ID NO:56 AT2G31230 SEQ ID NO: 57 SEQ ID NO: 58 AT1G12260 SEQ ID NO: 59 SEQ IDNO: 60 AT3G61910 SEQ ID NO: 61 SEQ ID NO: 62 AT5G07310 SEQ ID NO: 63 SEQID NO: 64 AT3G14230 SEQ ID NO: 65 SEQ ID NO: 66 AT1G28160 SEQ ID NO: 67SEQ ID NO: 68 AT1G69120 SEQ ID NO: 69 SEQ ID NO: 70 AT3G10490 SEQ ID NO:71 SEQ ID NO: 72 AT5G61600 SEQ ID NO: 73 SEQ ID NO: 74 AT1G43160 SEQ IDNO: 75 SEQ ID NO: 76

Moreover, examples of a transcription factor that is introduced into aplant or in which a transcriptional regulatory region is modifiedinclude transcription factors specified by AGI codes for Arabidopsisthaliana listed in tables 3 and 4. In addition, any transcription factorlisted in table 3 causes a significant increase in seed protein contentwhen it is introduced into a plant or a transcriptional regulatoryregion thereof is modified. Any transcription factor listed in table 4causes a significant decrease in seed protein content when it isintroduced into a plant or a transcriptional regulatory region thereofis modified.

TABLE 3 Nucleotide Amino acid AGI code sequence sequence AT3G04070 SEQID NO: 77 SEQ ID NO: 78 AT2G46770 SEQ ID NO: 79 SEQ ID NO: 80 AT5G35550SEQ ID NO: 81 SEQ ID NO: 82

TABLE 4 Nucleotide Amino acid AGI code sequence sequence AT1G10200 SEQID NO: 83 SEQ ID NO: 84

In addition, examples of a transcription factor constituting a chimericprotein or a transcription factor subjected to gene introduction ormodification of an expression control region are not limited to aminoacid sequences (shown in the even-numbered SEQ ID NOS: 1 to 84) listedin tables 1 to 4. Also, it is possible to use a transcription factorhaving transactivation activity and comprising an amino acid sequencethat has a deletion, a substitution, an addition, or an insertion of oneor a plurality of amino acid sequences with respect to any of the aminoacid sequences. Here, the term “a plurality of amino acids” refers to 1to 20, preferably 1 to 10, more preferably 1 to 7, further preferably 1to 5, and particularly preferably 1 to 3 amino acids, for example. Inaddition, amino acid deletion, substitution, or addition can beperformed by modifying a nucleotide sequence encoding any of the abovetranscription factors by a technique known in the art. Mutation can beintroduced into a nucleotide sequence by a known technique such as theKunkel method or the Gapped duplex method or a method based thereon. Forexample, mutation is introduced with a mutagenesis kit usingsite-directed mutagenesis (e.g., Mutant-K or Mutant-G (both are tradenames of Takara Bio)) or the like, or a LA PCR in vitro Mutagenesisseries kit (trade name, Takara Bio). Also, a mutagenesis method may be:a method using a chemical mutation agent represented by EMS (ethylmethanesulfonate), 5-bromouracil, 2-aminopurine, hydroxylamine,N-methyl-N′-nitro-N nitrosoguanidine, or other carcinogenic compounds;or a method that involves radiation treatment or ultraviolet [UV]treatment typically using X-rays, alpha rays, beta rays, gamma rays, anion beam, or the like.

Further, examples of a transcription factor constituting a chimericprotein or a transcription factor subjected to gene introduction ormodification of an expression control region are not limited toArabidopsis thaliana transcription factors listed in tables 1 to 4.Examples of such transcription factor can include transcription factorsthat function in a similar manner in non-Arabidopsis thaliana plants(e.g., the aforementioned plants) (hereinafter referred to as homologoustranscription factors). These homologous transcription factors can besearched for using the genomic information of a search target plantbased on amino acid sequences listed in tables 1 to 4 or the nucleotidesequences of individual genes if the plant genomic information has beenelucidated. Homologous transcription factors can be identified bysearching for amino acid sequences having, for example, 70% or higer,preferably 80% or higher, more preferably 90% or higher, and mostpreferably 95% or higher homology to the amino acid sequences listed intables 1 to 4. Here, the value of homology refers to a value that can befound based on default setting using a computer equipped with a BLASTalgorithm and a database containing gene sequence information.

In addition, a homologous gene can be identified by, when the plantgenome information remains unclarified, extracting the genome from atarget plant or constructing a cDNA library for a target plant and thenisolating a genomic region or cDNA hybridizing under stringentconditions to at least some portions of the gene encoding any one of thetranscription factors listed in tables 1 to 4. Here, the term “stringentconditions” refers to conditions under which namely a specific hybrid isformed, but a non-specific hybrid is never formed. For example, suchconditions comprise hybridization at 45° C. with 6 x SSC (sodiumchloride/sodium citrate), followed by washing at 50° C. to 65° C. with0.2-1 x SSC and 0.1% SDS. Alternatively, such conditions comprisehybridization at 65° C. to 70° C. with 1 x SSC, followed by washing at65° C. to 70° C. with 0.3 x SSC. Hybridization can be performed by aconventionally known method such as a method described in J. Sambrook etal. Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, 2nd Ed., Cold Spring HarborLaboratory (1989).

A feature of causing the seed protein content to vary significantly (tobe improved or reduced significantly) is imparted to the plant of thepresent invention by causing expression of the aforementioned chimericprotein comprising a transcription factor and a functional peptide in aplant, introducing the aforementioned gene encoding a transcriptionfactor into a plant, or altering an expression control region of suchgene in a plant.

In particular, a feature of causing the seed protein content to varysignificantly (to be improved or reduced significantly) is imparted tothe plant of the present invention by causing expression of a chimericprotein comprising a transcription factor of interest having repressedtransactivation activity, further causing expression of transcriptionrepression activity through recognition of a cis sequence homologous toa cis sequence recognized by the transcription factor of interest, andaltering the specific affinity of the transcription factor of interestto that of another factor, nucleic acid, lipid, or carbohydrate. In theplant of the present invention, it is possible to create a chimericprotein comprising an endogenous transcription factor by modifying theendogenous transcription factor. Alternatively, it is also possible tointroduce a gene encoding a chimeric protein into the plant so as tocause the gene to be expressed therein. For instance, it is preferableto use a method wherein a gene encoding a chimeric protein (fusionprotein) obtained by fusing the aforementioned transcription factor anda functional peptide capable of converting an arbitrary transcriptionfactor into a transcriptional repressor is introduced into a targetplant to cause the chimeric protein (fusion protein) to be expressed inthe plant.

The expression “transcription factor having repressed transactivationactivity” used herein is not particularly limited. Such transcriptionfactor has significantly lower transactivation activity than theoriginal transcription factor. In addition, a “functional peptidecapable of converting an arbitrary transcription factor into atranscriptional repressor” (sometimes referred to as a “transcriptionrepressor converting peptide”) is defined as a peptide having thefunction of causing an arbitrary transcription factor to havesignificantly reduced transactivation activity in comparison with theoriginal transcription factor when the peptide is fused with thetranscription factor to create a chimeric protein. Such “functionalpeptide capable of converting an arbitrary transcription factor into atranscriptional repressor” is not particularly limited. However, it isparticularly preferable for the functional peptide to consist of anamino acid sequence known as a repressor domain sequence or an SRDXsequence. Examples of such transcription repressor converting peptideare described in detail in JP Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2005-204657A. Any example disclosed in such document can be used.

For example, a transcription repressor converting peptide consists of anamino acid sequence expressed by any one of the following formula (1) to(8).

(1) X1-Leu-Asp-Leu-X2-Leu-X3

(where X1 denotes a set of 0 to 10 amino acid residues, X2 denotes Asnor Glu, and X3 denotes a set of at least 6 amino acid residues.)

(2) Y1-Phe-Asp-Leu-Asn-Y2-Y3

(where Y1 denotes a set of 0 to 10 amino acid residues, Y2 denotes Pheor Ile, and Y3 denotes a set of at least 6 amino acid residues.)

(3) Z1-Asp-Leu-Z2-Leu-Arg-Leu-Z3

(where Z1 denotes Leu, Asp-Leu, or Leu-Asp-Leu, Z2 denotes Glu, Gin, orAsp, and Z3 denotes a set of 0 to 10 amino acid residues.)

(4) Asp-Leu-Z4-Leu-Arg-Leu

(where Z4 denotes Glu, Gln, or Asp.)

(5) α1-Leu-β1-Leu-γ1-Leu (6) α1-Leu-β1-Leu-γ2-Leu (7)α1-Leu-β2-Leu-Arg-Leu (8) α2-Leu-β1-Leu-Arg-Leu

(where α1 denotes Asp, Asn, Glu, Gln, Thr, or Ser, α2 denotes Asn, Glu,Gln, Thr, or Ser, β1 denotes Asp, Gin, Asn, Arg, Glu, Thr, Ser, or His,β2 denotes Asn, Arg, Thr, Ser, or His, γ1 denotes Arg, Gln, Asn, Thr,Ser, His, Lys, or Asp, and γ2 denotes Gln, Asn, Thr, Ser, His, Lys, orAsp in formulae (5) to (8).)

Transcription Repressor Converting Peptide of Formula (1)

The number of amino acid residues in the set denoted by “X 1” may be 0to 10 for the transcription repressor converting peptide of formula (1).In addition, types of specific amino acids corresponding to amino acidresidues in the set denoted by X1 are not particularly limited. Anyamino acid can be used. In view of ease of synthesis of thetranscription repressor converting peptide of formula (1), it ispreferable to minimize the length of the set of amino acid residuesdenoted by X1. Specifically, the number of amino acid residues in theset denoted by X1 is preferably not more than 5.

Similarly, the number of amino acid residues in the set denoted by X3may be at least 6 for the transcription repressor converting peptide offormula (1). In addition, types of specific amino acids corresponding toamino acid residues in the set denoted by X3 are not particularlylimited, and thus any amino acid may be used.

Transcription Repressor Converting Peptide of Formula (2)

As in the case of Xl for the transcription repressor converting peptideof formula (1), the number of amino acid residues in the set denoted byY1 for the transcription repressor converting peptide of formula (2) maybe 0 to 10. In addition, types of specific amino acids corresponding toamino acid residues in the set denoted by Y1 are not particularlylimited, and thus any amino acid may be used. The number of specificamino acid residues in the set denoted by Y1 is preferably not more than5.

Similarly, as in the case of X3 for the transcription repressorconverting peptide of formula (1), the number of amino acid residues inthe set denoted by Y3 for the transcription repressor converting peptideof formula (2) may be at least 6. In addition, types of specific aminoacids corresponding to amino acid residues in the set denoted by Y3 arenot particularly limited, and thus any amino acid may be used.

Transcription Repressor Converting Peptide of Formula (3)

For the transcription repressor converting peptide of formula (3), theset of amino acid residues denoted by Z1 contains 1 to 3 “Leu” amioacids. When it contains a single amino acid, Z1 denotes Leu. When itcontains two amino acids, Z1 denotes Asp-Leu. When it contains 3 aminoacids, Z1 denotes Leu-Asp-Leu.

Meanwhile, for the transcription repressor converting peptide of formula(3), the number of amino acid residues in the set denoted by Z3 may be 0to 10. In addition, types of specific amino acids corresponding to aminoacid residues in the set denoted by Z3 are not particularly limited, andthus any amino acid may be used. Specifically, the number of amino acidresidues in the set denoted by Z3 is preferably not more than 5.Specific examples of an amino acid residue in the set denoted by Z3include, but are not limited to, Gly, Gly-Phe-Phe, Gly-Phe-Ala,Gly-Tyr-Tyr, and Ala-Ala-Ala.

In addition, the number of amino acid residues consisting of atranscription repressor converting peptide as a whole of formula (3) isnot particularly limited. However, in view of ease of synthesis, it ispreferably not more than 20 amino acids.

Transcription Repressor Converting Peptide of Formula (4)

The transcription repressor converting peptide of formula (4) is ahexamer (6mer) consisting of 6 amino acid residues. In addition, if theamino acid residue denoted by Z4 in the transcription repressorconverting peptide of formula (4) is Glu, the amino acid sequence of thepeptide corresponds to a region rangnig from position 196 to position201 of the amino acid sequence of the Arabidopsis thaliana SUPERMANprotein (SUP protein).

A chimeric protein (fusion protein) is created through fusion of any ofthe different transcription repressor converting peptides describedabove and any of the transcription factors described above so as tomodify characteristics of the transcription factor. Specifically, achimeric protein (fusion protein) is created through fusion of thetranscription factor and the transcription repressor converting peptide,making it possible to modify the transcription factor into atranscriptional repressor or a negative transcriptional coactivator. Inaddition, it is possible to further convert a non-dominanttranscriptional repressor into a dominant transcriptional repressor.

In addition, a chimeric protein (fusion protein) can be produced byobtaining a fusion gene of a polynucleotide encoding any transcriptionrepressor converting peptide described above and a gene encoding atranscription factor. Specifically, a fusion gene is constructed bylinking a polynucleotide encoding the transcription repressor convertingpeptide (hereinafter referred to as a “transcription repressorconverting polynucleotide”) and the gene encoding a transcriptionfactor. The fusion gene is introduced into plant cells, thereby allowingproduction of a chimeric protein (fusion protein). The specificnucleotide sequence of the transcription repressor convertingpolynucleotide is not particularly limited. It is only necessary for thetranscription repressor converting polynucleotide to comprise anucleotide sequence corresponding to the amino acid sequence of thetranscription repressor converting peptide in accordance with thegenetic code of the peptide. In addition, if necessary, thetranscription repressor converting polynucleotide may have a nucleotidesequence that serves as a linking site via which the transcriptionrepressor converting polynucleotide is linked to a transcription factorgene. Further, if the amino acid reading frame of the transcriptionrepressor converting polynucleotide does not match the reading frame ofthe transcription factor gene, the transcription repressor convertingpolynucleotide can comprise an additional nucleotide sequence thatallows matching of both reading frames. Furthermore, the transcriptionrepressor converting polynucleotide may comprise a variety of additionalpolypeptides such as a polypeptide having a linker function to link atranscription factor and a transcription repressor converting peptideand a polypeptide such as His, Myc, or Flag used for epitope labeling ofa chimeric protein (fusion protein). Moreover, if necessary, thechimeric protein (fusion protein) may have a construct such as a sugarchain, an isoprenoid group, or the like as well as such polypeptide.

In addition, a conventionally known expression vector or the like can beused when the above gene encoding a transcription factor is introducedinto plants.

A method for producing a plant is not particularly limited as long as itcomprises a step of producing the above chimeric protein comprising atranscription factor and a transcription repressor converting peptide ina plant or a step of introducing the above gene encoding a transcriptionfactor into a plant or modifying an expression control region of thegene. However, for example, a production method comprising steps such asan expression vector construction step, a transformation step, and aselection step can be used. Each step is specifically described below.

Expression Vector Construction Step

The expression vector construction step is not particularly limited aslong as it includes a step of constructing a recombinant expressionvector containing the gene encoding a transcription factor, atranscription repressor converting polynucleotide, and a promoter. Also,the expression vector construction step is not particularly limited aslong as it is a step of constructing a recombinant expression vectorcontaining the gene encoding a transcription factor to be introduced anda promoter. As a vector serving as a mother body for a recombinantexpression vector, various conventionally known vectors can be used. Forexample, plasmids, phages, cosmids, or the like can be used and suchvector can be appropriately selected depending on plant cells into whichit is introduced and introduction methods. Specific examples of suchvector include pBR322, pBR325, pUC19, pUC119, pBluescript,pBluescriptSK, and pBI vectors. Particularly, when a method forintroduction of a vector into a plant uses Agrobacterium, a pBI binaryvector is preferably used. Specific examples of such pBI binary vectorinclude pBIG, pBIN19, pBI101, pBI121, and pBI221.

A promoter used herein is not particularly limited as long as it cancause gene expression in plants. Any known promoter can be appropriatelyused. Examples of such promoter include a cauliflower mosaic virus 35Spromoter (CaMV35S), various actin gene promoters, various ubiquitin genepromoters, a nopaline synthase gene promoter, a tobacco PR1a genepromoter, a tomato ribulose1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase·oxidase smallsubunit gene promoter, a napin gene promoter, and an oleosin genepromoter. Of these, a cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter, an actingene promoter, or a ubiquitin gene promoter can be more preferably used.The use of each of the above promoters enables strong expression of anygene when it is introduced into plant cells. The structure of arecombinant expression vector itself is not particularly limited as longas the promoter is linked to a fusion gene obtained by linking a geneencoding a transcription factor and a transcription repressor convertingpolynucleotide so as to cause expression of the gene and introduced intothe vector. Also, the structure of a recombinant expression vectoritself is not particularly limited as long as the promoter is linked toa gene encoding a desired transcription factor for gene introduction soas to cause expression of the gene and introduced into the vector.

In addition, a recombinant expression vector may further contain otherDNA segments, in addition to a promoter and the fusion gene or the geneencoding a transcription factor. Such other DNA segments are notparticularly limited and examples thereof include a terminator, aselection marker, an enhancer, and a nucleotide sequence for enhancingtranslation efficiency. Also, the above recombinant expression vectormay further have a T-DNA region. A T-DNA region can enhance efficiencyfor gene introduction particularly when the above recombinant expressionvector is introduced into a plant using Agrobacterium.

A transcription terminator is not particularly limited as long as it hasfunctions as a transcription termination site and may be any knowntranscription terminator. For example, specifically, a transcriptiontermination region (Nos terminator) of a nopaline synthase gene, atranscription termination region (CaMV35S terminator) of cauliflowermosaic virus 35S, or the like can be preferably used. Of them, the Nosterminator can be more preferably used. In the case of the aboverecombinant vector, a phenomenon such that an unnecessarily longtranscript is synthesized and that a strong promoter decreases thenumber of copies of a plasmid after introduction into plant cells can beprevented by arranging a transcription terminator at an appropriateposition.

As a transformant selection marker, a drug resistance gene can be used,for example. Specific examples of such drug resistance gene include drugresistance genes against hygromycin, bleomycin, kanamycin, gentamicin,chloramphenicol, and the like. Transformed plants can be easily selectedby selecting plants that can grow in medium containing the aboveantibiotics.

An example of a nucleotide sequence for increasing translationefficiency is an omega sequence from tobacco mosaic virus. This omegasequence is arranged in an untranslated region (5′UTR) of a promoter, sothat the translation efficiency of the fusion gene can be increased. Assuch, the recombinant expression vector can contain various DNA segmentsdepending on purposes.

A method for constructing a recombinant expression vector is notparticularly limited. To an appropriately selected vector serving as amother body, the above promoter, a fusion gene consisting of a geneencoding a transcription factor and a transcription repressor convertingpolynucleotide or a gene encoding a desired transcription factor forgene introduction, and, if necessary, the above other DNA segments maybe introduced in a predetermined order. For example, a gene encoding atranscription factor and a transcription repressor convertingpolynucleotide are linked to construct a fusion gene, and then thefusion gene and the promoter (e.g., a transcription terminator accordingto need) are then linked to construct an expression cassette and thenthe cassette may be introduced into a vector.

In construction of a chimeric gene (fusion gene) and an expressioncassette, for example, cleavage sites of DNA segments are prepared tohave protruding ends complementary to each other and then performing areaction with a ligation enzyme, making it possible to specify the orderof the DNA segments. In addition, when an expression cassette contains aterminator, DNA segments may be arranged in the following order fromupstream: a promoter, the fusion gene or the gene encoding atranscription factor, and a terminator. Also, reagents for constructionof an expression vector (that is, types of restriction enzymes, ligationenzymes, and the like) are also not particularly limited. Hence,commercially available reagents can be appropriately selected and used.

Also, a method for replicating (a method for producing) the aboveexpression vector is not particularly limited and conventionally knownreplication methods can be used herein. In general, such expressionvector may be replicated within Escherichia coli as a host. At thistime, preferred types of Escherichia coli may be selected depending onthe types of vector.

Transformation Step

The transformation step carried out in the present invention is a stepof introducing the fusion gene or the gene encoding a transcriptionfactor into plant cells using the above recombinant expression vector soas to cause the expression of the gene. A method for introducing suchgene into plant cells (transformation method) using a recombinantexpression vector is not particularly limited. Conventionally knownappropriate introduction methods can be used depending on plant cells.Specifically, a method using Agrobacterium or a method that involvesdirect introduction into plant cells can be used, for example. As amethod using Agrobacterium, a method described in the following can beemployed, for example: Bechtold, E., Ellis, J. and Pelletier, G. (1993),In Planta Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer by infiltration of adultArabidopsis plants. C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris Sci. Vie, 316, 1194-1199; orZyprian E, Kado Cl, Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation by novelmini-T vectors in conjunction with a high-copy vir region helperplasmid, Plant Molecular Biology, 1990, 15(2), 245-256.

As a method for directly introducing DNA comprising a recombinantexpression vector and a target gene into plant cells, microinjection,electroporation, a polyethylene glycol method, a particle gun method,protoplast fusion, a calcium phosphate method, or the like can beemployed.

Also, when a method for directly introducing DNA into plant cells isemployed, DNA that can be used herein contains transcriptional unitsrequired for the expression of a target gene, such as a promoter and atranscription terminator, and a target gene. Vector functions are notessential in such case. Moreover, a DNA that contains a protein codingregion alone of a target gene having no transcriptional unit may be usedherein, as long as it is integrated into a host's transcriptional unitand then the target gene can be expressed.

Examples of plant cells into which DNA comprising the above recombinantexpression vector and a target gene or DNA containing no expressionvector but a target gene DNA is introduced include cells of each tissueof plant organs such as flowers, leaves, and roots, calluses, andsuspension-cultured cells. At this time, according to the plantproduction method of the present invention, an appropriate expressionvector may be constructed as the above recombinant expression vectoraccording to the type of plant to be produced or a versatile expressionvector may be constructed in advance and then introduced into plantcells. That is to say, the plant production method of the presentinvention may or may not comprise a step of constructing a DNA fortransformation using the recombinant expression vector.

Other Steps and Methods

The plant production method of the present invention needs to compriseat least the transformation step, and the method may further comprise astep of constructing the DNA for transformation using the recombinantexpression vector. The method may further comprise other steps.Specifically, for example, a step of selecting an appropriatetransformant from among transformed plants can be employed.

A selection method is not particularly limited. For example, selectionmay be carried based on drug resistance such as hygromycin resistance.Alternatively, selection may be carried out based on the protein contentin plant seeds collected from cultivated transformants. For example, amethod comprising collecting plant seeds, determining the proteincontent in the seeds according to a standard method, and comparing theprotein content with the protein content in non-transformed plant seedscan be employed in a case in which selection is carried out based onprotein content (see the Examples described below) .

According to the plant production method of the present invention, thefusion gene or the gene encoding a transcription factor is introducedinto a plant. This makes it possible to obtain an offspring plant havinga significantly improved or reduced protein content in comparison withthe plant via sexual reproduction or asexual reproduction. Also, plantcells or reproductive materials, such as seeds, fruits, stocks,calluses, tubers, cut ears, or lumps, may be obtained from the plant oran offspring plant thereof. The plant can be mass-produced therefrombased on such materials. Therefore, the plant production method of thepresent invention may comprise a reproduction step (mass productionstep) for reproducing a selected plant.

In addition, the plant of the present invention may include a mattercomprising at least any one of an adult plant, plant cells, planttissue, callus, and seeds. That is, according to the present invention,any matter in a state that allows it to eventually grow to become aplant can be regarded as a plant. In addition, plant cells include plantcells in various forms. Examples of such plant cells includesuspension-cultured cells, protoplasts, and leaf sections. As a resultof proliferation/differentiation of such plant cells, a plant can beobtained. In addition, a plant can be reproduced from plant cells by aconventionally known method depending on the types of plant cells.Therefore, the plant production method of the present invention maycomprise a regeneration step of regenerating a plant from plant cells orthe like.

In addition, the plant production method of the present invention is notlimited to a method of transformation using a recombinant expressionvector. A different method may be used. Specifically, for example, thechimeric protein (fusion protein) itself or a transcription factor(protein) can be administered to a plant. In this case, the chimericprotein (fusion protein) or a transcription factor (protein) can beadministered to a young plant such that the seed protein content can beimproved. In addition, a method of administration of a chimeric protein(fusion protein) or a transcription factor (protein) is not particularlylimited, and a different known method can be used.

As described above, according to the present invention, it becomespossible to provide a plant for which the seed protein content has beencaused to vary significantly (to be improved or reduced significantly)relative to the protein content in a wild-type plant by inducingexpression of a chimeric protein comprising a predeterminedtranscription factor and any functional peptide described above or apredetermined transcription factor. When the chimeric protein isexpressed in a plant, it might cause repression of transactivationactivity of a target transcription factor or it might cause exhibitionof transcription repression effects upon a sequence homologous to a cissequence recognized by a target transcription factor. Further, in somecases, such chimeric protein functions to change the specific affinityof another factor, DNA, RNA, lipid, or carbohydrate having affinity to atarget transcription factor or transcriptional coactivator.Alternatively, in some cases, it functions to cause a substance havingno affinity to a target transcription factor to have improved affinitythereto. The following factors can be expressed in a similar manner inthe plant of the present invention: a transcription factor thatconstitutes a chimeric protein; a transcription factor capable ofrecognizing a cis sequence homologous to a cis sequence recognized bythe transcription factor; a transcription factor homologous to atranscription factor that constitutes a chimeric protein; other factorseach having affinity to a transcription factor that constitutes achimeric protein; and the like. However, the above effects of a chimericprotein allow suppression of gene expression to be controlled in adominant-negative manner. Accordingly, the expression levels of genegroups involved in plant growth and the expression levels of gene groupsinvolved in protein production in seeds and/or gene groups involved indecomposition of a produced protein would vary in the plant of thepresent invention. This is thought to cause significant variation inseed protein content.

Here, significant variation in the seed protein content exists in a casein which the plant of the present invention exhibits an improvement ofthe protein amount over a wild-type plant while the single seed massremains stable, a case in which the plant of the present invention isfound to exhibit improvement of protein content with a significantlyhigher or lower level of single seed mass than that of a wild-typeplant, or a case in which the plant of the present invention is found toexhibit improvement or reduction of seed protein content when comparedwith a wild-type plant. In any case, it corresponds to a variation inthe amount of a protein produced by a single individual plant.

More specifically, if a chimeric protein comprising any transcriptionfactor listed in table 1 is expressed in a plant, the protein content inseeds of the plant would be improved by approximately 20% or morecompared with a wild-type plant. In addition, if a gene encoding anytranscription factor listed in table 3 is introduced into a plant, theprotein content in seeds of the plant would be improved by approximately20% or more compared with a wild-type plant. Among the plants of thepresent invention, a plant confirmed to have increased protein contentcan be used for a method for producing a plant-derived protein. Forexample, a protein can be produced by cultivating the plant of thepresent invention, taking seeds therefrom, and collecting proteincomponents from the obtained seeds. In particular, it can be said thatthe protein production method using the plant of the present inventionis a method whereby high protein content in seeds can be achieved,resulting in excellent productivity. In other words, assuming that thenumber of cultivated plant individuals per unit area of cultivatedacreage is stable and thus the amount of collected seeds is stable, theamount of protein produced per unit area of cultivated acreage can beremarkably improved with the use of the plant of the present invention.Therefore, production cost necessary for protein production can besignificantly reduced with the use of the plant of the presentinvention.

EXAMPLES

The present invention is hereafter described in greater detail withreference to the following examples, although the technical scope of thepresent invention is not limited thereto.

Example 1 Transcription Factor Gene Amplification

Each of the following transcription factors was subjected to PCRamplification of a coding region DNA fragment including or excluding atermination codon using the Arabidopsis thaliana cDNA library andprimers described below: At2g23760, At1g18330, At2g02070, At1g12980,At5g62380, At4g23750, At4g32800, At1g24590, At5g07690, At1g71692,At1g52150, At3g25890, At1g09540, At5g22380, At2g44940, At5g41030,At5g60970, At5g35550, At1g60240, At2g23290, At5g14000, At1g19490,At5g58900, At5g07580, At3g04070, At2g42830, At2g22200, At5g25190,At5g54230, At5g67300, At4g28140, At5g23260, At1g69490, At4g18390,At1g15360, At1g27370, At1g78080, At5g25390, At3g04060, At1g44830,At3g49850, At5g06100, At1g74840, At3g04070, At2g46770, At5g35550,At1g71030, At2g44840, At3g23220, At1g18570, At3g01530, At5g51190,At4g34410, At5g22290, At3g04420, At3g45150, At3g29035, At3g02150,At2g41710, At1g49120, At1g64380, At3g23230, At1g01010, At5g53290,At1g36060, At5g66300, At2g46310, At5g47390, At1g71030, At1g17520,At3g23220, At2g18060, At5g08070, At1g80580, At1g34190, At2g47520,At5g67000, At4g27950, At5g47230, At3g28910, At3g11280, At5g07680,At1g25470, At1g28520, At1g77450, At5g24590, At5g08790, At1g67260,At4g28530, At5g13910, At5g64530, At2g33710, At1g53230, At1g56010,At5g18560, At5g67580, At5g24520, At4g18390, At1g69690, At5g13330,At5g60970, At3g23220, At1g62700, At5g13330, At1g22985, At5g09330,At1g10200, At1g61110, At1g30210, At5g40330, At5g13180, At1g52880,At4g18450, At5g07580, At1g74930, At4g36160, At3g18550, At5g64750,At2g02450, At2g42400, At5g67300, At1g68800, At1g14510, At1g25580,At5g18270, At2g44840, At3g15500, At4g35580, At4g01550, At4g37750,At1g52890, At2g17040, At2g33480, At5g39610, At1g32770, At5g47220,At1g56650, At1g63910, At3g15510, At2g45680, At2g31230, At1g12260,At3g61910, At5g07310, At3g14230, At1g28160, At1g69120, At3g10490,At5g61600, At1g43160, At3g15210, At4g08150, and At1g10200. Note that acoding region DNA fragment including a termination codon was amplifiedfor each of At3g04070, At2g46770, At5g35550, At1g71030, At2g44840,At4g18390, At1g69690, At5g13330, At5g60970, At3g23220, At3g15210,At4g08150, and At1g10200. PCR was carried out under conditions of 94° C.for 1 minute, 47° C. for 2 minutes, and elongation reaction at 74° C.for 1 minute for 25 cycles. Next, each PCR product was isolated byagarose gel electrophoresis and collected.

TABLE 5 Nucleotide Nucleotide AGI code Fowerd primer sequenceReverse primer sequence At2g23760 GATGGGTTTAGCTACTACAACTTCTTCTATSEQ ID NO: 85 AAAATCTCCAAAGTCTCTAACGGAGAAAGA SEQ ID NO: 86 At1g18330GATGGCCGCTGAGGATCGAAGTGAGGAACT SEQ ID NO: 87GCATATACGTGCTCTTTGGCTTTTCTTTTC SEQ ID NO: 88 At2g02070GATGGCTGCTTCTTCATCCTCCGCTGCTTC SEQ ID NO: 89GAAACTCGCATGATGGATTCCATAAGGTGG SEQ ID NO: 90 At1g12980AATGGAAAAAGCCTTGAGAAACTTC SEQ ID NO: 91 TCCCCACGATCTTCGGCAAGTACASEQ ID NO: 92 At5g62380 GATGGAAAGTCTCGCACACATTCCTCCCGG SEQ ID NO: 93CGTGTGTGTATTTTGAGCCCAAGAGTAGAA SEQ ID NO: 94 At4g23750ATGGAAGCGGAGAAGAAAATGG SEQ ID NO: 95 AACAGCTAAAAGAGGATCCGACSEQ ID NO: 96 At4g32800 ATGGCGGATTCGTCTTCCGAC SEQ ID NO: 97GGGAAAATGTTTCCAAGATTCG SEQ ID NO: 98 At1g24590 ATGGAAGAAGCAATCATGAGACSEQ ID NO: 99 ATAATCATCATGAAAGCAATACTG SEQ ID NO: 100 At5g07690GATGTCAAGAAAGCCATGTTGTGTGGGAGA SEQ ID NO: 101TATGAAGTTCTTGTCGTCGTAATCTTGGCT SEQ ID NO: 102 At1g71692GATGGCTCGTGGAAAGATTCAGCTTAAGAG SEQ ID NO: 103GAACTGAAATATTTCACTTGGCATTGTTAG SEQ ID NO: 104 At1g52150GATGGCAATGTCTTGCAAGGATGGTAAGTT SEQ ID NO: 105CACAAAGGACCAATTGATGAACACAAAGCA SEQ ID NO: 106 At3g25890ATGGCTGAACGAAAGAAACGC SEQ ID NO: 107 TGGGCACGCGATATTAAGAGGSEQ ID NO: 108 At1g09540 GATGGGGAGACATTCTTGCTGTTACAAACA SEQ ID NO: 109AAGGGACTGACCAAAAGAGACGGCCATTCT SEQ ID NO: 110 At5g22380GATGGCCGATGAGGTCACAATCGGGTTTCG SEQ ID NO: 111AGGCCAAGTCAGCTGTTCCCAGTCCCACAT SEQ ID NO: 112 At2g44940ATGGCAAGACAAATCAACATAGAG SEQ ID NO: 113 TTCAGATAGAAAAAACGGCTCTTCSEQ ID NO: 114 At5g41030 ATGGTCATGGAGCCCAAGAAG SEQ ID NO: 115TGAACCATTTTCCTCTGCACTC SEQ ID NO: 116 At5g60970 ATGAGATCAGGAGAATGTGATGSEQ ID NO: 117 AGAATCTGATTCATTATCGCTAC SEQ ID NO: 118 At5g35550GATGGGAAAGAGAGCAACTACTAGTGTGAG SEQ ID NO: 119ACAAGTGAAGTCTCGGAGCCAATCTTCATC SEQ ID NO: 120 At1g60240GATGAAGTCAAGACGTGAACAATCAATCGA SEQ ID NO: 121TTTATAGTAACCTCGAATGTGCTGGGCCAA SEQ ID NO: 122 At2g23290GATGTCTGGTTCGACCCGGAAAGAAATGGA SEQ ID NO: 123CTCGATCCTACCTAATCCAATAAACTCTCT SEQ ID NO: 124 At5g14000GATGGAGGTGGAGAAGAGGATTGTAG SEQ ID NO: 125 CTCATCAGCTGAGGTAGGAGGAGSEQ ID NO: 126 At1g19490 GATGGAGTTGGAGCCTATATCATCGAGTTG SEQ ID NO: 127TCCGACCTGCATCCGACATTGACGGCCATG SEQ ID NO: 128 At5g58900GATGGAGGTTATGAGACCGTCGACGTCACA SEQ ID NO: 129TAGTTGAAACATTGTGTTTTGGGCGTCATA SEQ ID NO: 130 At5g07580ATGGCGAGTTTTGAGGAAAGC SEQ ID NO: 131 AAATGCATCACAGGAAGATGAAGSEQ ID NO: 132 At3g04070 GATGATAAGCAAGGATCCAAGATCGAGTTT SEQ ID NO: 133GCCTTGATATTGAAGGTGAGAACTCATCAT SEQ ID NO: 134 At2g42830GATGGAGGGTGGTGCGAGTAATGAAGTAGC SEQ ID NO: 135AACAAGTTGCAGAGGTGGTTGGTCTTGGTT SEQ ID NO: 136 At2g22200ATGGAAACTGCTTCTCTTTCTTTC SEQ ID NO: 137 AGAATTGGCCAGTTTACTAATTGCSEQ ID NO: 138 At5g25190 ATGGCACGACCACAACAACGC SEQ ID NO: 139CAGCGTCTGAGTTGGTAAAACAG SEQ ID NO: 140 At5g54230GATGGGAAAATCTTCAAGCTCGGAGGAAAG SEQ ID NO: 141TGATAGATTCAAAGCATTATTATTATGATC SEQ ID NO: 142 At5g67300GATGGCTGATAGGATCAAAGGTCCATGGAG SEQ ID NO: 143CTCGATTCTCCCAACTCCAATTTGACTCAT SEQ ID NO: 144 At4g28140ATGGACTTTGACGAGGAGCTAAATC SEQ ID NO: 145 AAAGAAAGGCCTCATAGGACAAGSEQ ID NO: 146 At5g23260 GATGGGTAGAGGGAAGATAGAGATAAAGAA SEQ ID NO: 147ATCATTCTGGGCCGTTGGATCGTTTTGAAG SEQ ID NO: 148 At1g69490GATGGAAGTAACTTCCCAATCTACCCTCCC SEQ ID NO: 149AAACTTAAACATCGCTTGACGATGATGGTT SEQ ID NO: 150 At4g18390ATGATTGGAGATCTAATGAAG SEQ ID NO: 151 GTTCTTGCCTTTACCCTTATGSEQ ID NO: 152 At1g15360 ATGGTACAGACGAAGAAGTTCAG SEQ ID NO: 153GTTTGTATTGAGAAGCTCCTCTATC SEQ ID NO: 154 At1g27370GATGGACTGCAACATGGTATCTTCGTTCCC SEQ ID NO: 155GATGAAATGACTAGGGAAAGTGCCAAATAT SEQ ID NO: 156 At1g78080GATGGCAGCTGCTATGAATTTGTAC SEQ ID NO: 157 AGCTAGAATCGAATCCCAATCGSEQ ID NO: 158 At5g25390 ATGGTACATTCGAAGAAGTTCCG SEQ ID NO: 159GACCTGTGCAATGGATCCAG SEQ ID NO: 160 At3g04060 GATGGTGGAAGAAGGCGGCGTAGSEQ ID NO: 161 GCTAGTATATAAATCTTCCCAGAAG SEQ ID NO: 162 At1g44830ATGGTGAAAACACTTCAAAAGACAC SEQ ID NO: 163 GCAGAAGTTCCATAATCTGATATCSEQ ID NO: 164 At3g49850 GATGGGAGCTCCAAAGCTGAAGTGGACACC SEQ ID NO: 165CCGAGTTTGGCTATGCATTCTATACTTCAC SEQ ID NO: 166 At5g06100GATGAGTTACACGAGCACTGACAGTGACCA SEQ ID NO: 167ACAAACTATTTCAAGTGATGGTAAGGTGAA SEQ ID NO: 168 At1g74840GATGGCCGACGGTAGTACTAGTTCTTCGGA SEQ ID NO: 169AGCGACTCCAATCGTGTTGAATGCTGGATG SEQ ID NO: 170 At3g04070GATGATAAGCAAGGATCCAAGATCGAGTTT SEQ ID NO: 171CTAGCCTTGATATTGAAGGTGAGAACTCAT SEQ ID NO: 172 At2g46770GATGATGTCAAAATCTATGAGCATATC SEQ ID NO: 173TTATCCACTACCATTCGACACGTGACAAAA SEQ ID NO: 174 At5g35550GGGATGGGAAAGAGAGCAACTACTAGTGTG SEQ ID NO: 175TCAACAAGTGAAGTCTCGGAGCCAATCTTC SEQ ID NO: 176 AGG At1g71030GATGAACAAAACCCGCCTTCGTGCTCTCTC SEQ ID NO: 177TCATCGGAATAGAAGAAGCGTTTCTTGACC SEQ ID NO: 178 At2g44840ATGAGCTCATCTGATTCCGTTAATAAC SEQ ID NO: 179 TTATATCCGATTATCAGAATAAGAACSEQ ID NO: 180 At3g23220 ATGAAATACAGAGGCGTACGAAAG SEQ ID NO: 181GCGGTTTGCGTCGTTACAATTG SEQ ID NO: 182 At1g18570GATGGTGCGGACACCGTGTTGCAAAGCTGA SEQ ID NO: 183TCCAAAATAGTTATCAATTTCGTCAAACAA SEQ ID NO: 184 At3g01530GATGGAGACGACGATGAAGAAGAAAGGGAG SEQ ID NO: 185AATCACATGGTGGTCACCATTAAGCAAGTG SEQ ID NO: 186 At5g51190ATGGCTTCTTCACATCAACAACAG SEQ ID NO: 187 AGTAACTACGAGTTGAGAGTGTCSEQ ID NO: 188 At4g34410 ATGCATTATCCTAACAACAGAACC SEQ ID NO: 189CTGGAACATATCAGCAATTGTATTTC SEQ ID NO: 190 At5g22290GATGGACACGAAGGCGGTTGGAGTTTC SEQ ID NO: 191 TTCTAGATAAAACAACATTGCTATCSEQ ID NO: 192 At3g04420 GATGGAGAATCCGGTGGGTTTAAG SEQ ID NO: 193TGTTCTTGAGATAGAAGAACATTGG SEQ ID NO: 194 At3g45150ATGGATTCGAAAAATGGAATTAAC SEQ ID NO: 195 AACTGTGGTTGTGGCTGTTGTTGSEQ ID NO: 196 At3g29035 GATGGATTACAAGGTATCAAGAAG SEQ ID NO: 197GAATTTCCAAACGCAATCAAGATTC SEQ ID NO: 198 At3g02150ATGAATATCGTCTCTTGGAAAGATG SEQ ID NO: 199 TCACATATGGTGATCACTTCCTCTACTTGSEQ ID NO: 200 At2g41710 GATGGCGTCGGTGTCGTCGTC SEQ ID NO: 201TTTCTCTTGTGGGAGGTAGCTG SEQ ID NO: 202 At1g49120 ATGATCAGTTTCAGAGAAGAGAACSEQ ID NO: 203 TAAAAACTTATCGATCCAATCAGTAG SEQ ID NO: 204 At1g64380ATGGAAGAAAGCAATGATATTTTTC SEQ ID NO: 205 ATTGGCAAGAACTTCCCAAATCAGSEQ ID NO: 206 At3g23230 ATGGAGAGCTCAAACAGGAGC SEQ ID NO: 207TCTCTTCCTTTCTTCTGAATCAAG SEQ ID NO: 208 At1g01010GATGGAGGATCAAGTTGGGTTTGGG SEQ ID NO: 209 ACCAACAAGAATGATCCAACTAATGSEQ ID NO: 210 At5g53290 ATGGACGAATATATTGATTTCCGAC SEQ ID NO: 211AGCAACTAATAGATCTGATATCAATG SEQ ID NO: 212 At1g36060 ATGGCGGATCTCTTCGGTGGSEQ ID NO: 213 CGATAAAATTGAAGCCCAATCTATC SEQ ID NO: 214 At5g66300GATGATGAAGGTTGATCAAGATTATTCGTG SEQ ID NO: 215GTCTTCTCCACTCATCAAAAATTGAGACGC SEQ ID NO: 216 At2g46310ATGAAAAGCCGAGTGAGAAAATC SEQ ID NO: 217 TTACTTATCCAACAAATGATCTTGGSEQ ID NO: 218 At5g47390 GATGACTCGTCGATGTTCTCACTGCAATCA SEQ ID NO: 219TAAAGCGTGTATCACGCTTTTGATGTCTGA SEQ ID NO: 220 At1g71030GATGAACAAAACCCGCCTTCGTGCTCTCTC SEQ ID NO: 221TCGGAATAGAAGAAGCGTTTCTTGACCTGT SEQ ID NO: 222 At1g17520GATGGGAAATCAGAAGCTCAAATGGACGGC SEQ ID NO: 223ATTCAAGTACATAATCTTTCCCTGACTACA SEQ ID NO: 224 At3g23220GATGGATCCATTTTTAATTCAGTCCCCATT SEQ ID NO: 225CCAAGTCCCACTATTTTCAGAAGACCCCAA SEQ ID NO: 226 At2g18060GATGGAGCCAATGGAATCTTGTAGCGTTCC SEQ ID NO: 227ATTATCAAATACGCAAATCCCAATATCATA SEQ ID NO: 228 At5g08070ATGGGAATAAAAAAAGAAGATCAG SEQ ID NO: 229 CTCGATATGGTCTGGTTGTGAGSEQ ID NO: 230 At1g80580 ATGGAAAACAGCTACACCGTTG SEQ ID NO: 231CTTCCTAGACAACAACCCTAAAC SEQ ID NO: 232 At1g34190GATGGCGGATTCTTCACCCGATTCG SEQ ID NO: 233 GTCTTTCAAGAGAAGACTTCTACCSEQ ID NO: 234 At2g47520 ATGTGTGGGGGAGCTATCATTTC SEQ ID NO: 235ATTGGAGTCTTGATAGCTCC SEQ ID NO: 236 At5g67000 ATGGATAATTCAGAAAATGTTCSEQ ID NO: 237 TCTCCACCGCCGTTTAATTC SEQ ID NO: 238 At4g27950ATGATGATGGATGAGTTTATGGATC SEQ ID NO: 239 CACAAGTAAGAGATCGGATATCSEQ ID NO: 240 At5g47230 GGGGATGGCGACTCCTAACGAAGT SEQ ID NO: 241AACAACGGTCAACTGGGAATAACCAAACG SEQ ID NO: 242 At3g28910GATGGTGAGGCCTCCTTGTTGTGACAAAGG SEQ ID NO: 243GAAGAAATTAGTGTTTTCATCCAATAGAAT SEQ ID NO: 244 At3g11280GATGGAGACTCTGCATCCATTCTCTCACCT SEQ ID NO: 245AGCTCCGGCACTGAAGACATTTTCTCCGGC SEQ ID NO: 246 At5g07680GATGGATTTGCCTCCTGGTTTTAG SEQ ID NO: 247 GTAATTCCAGAAAGGTTCAAGATCSEQ ID NO: 248 At1g25470 ATGTCGGCTGTGTCTGAATCG SEQ ID NO: 249AACCAAACCGAGAGGCGGTG SEQ ID NO: 250 At1g28520 GATGACGGGGAAGCGATCAAAGACSEQ ID NO: 251 GGGGATATAATAGTCGCTTAGATTTC SEQ ID NO: 252 At1g77450GATGATGAAATCTGGGGCTGATTTGC SEQ ID NO: 253 GAAAGTTCCCTGCCTAACCACAAGTGGSEQ ID NO: 254 At5g24590 GATGAAAGAAGACATGGAAGTACTATC SEQ ID NO: 255TGCGACTAGACTGCAGACCGACATC SEQ ID NO: 256 At5g08790GATGAAGTCGGAGCTAAATTTACCAGCTGG SEQ ID NO: 257COCCTGTGGAGCAAAACTCCAATTCAAGAA SEQ ID NO: 258 At1g67260ATGTCGTCTTCCACCAATGAC SEQ ID NO: 259 GTTTACAAAAGAGTCTTGAATCCSEQ ID NO: 260 At4g28530 GATGGGTTTGAAAGATATTGGGTCC SEQ ID NO: 261TTGGAAAGCGAGGATATTTTCGGTC SEQ ID NO: 262 At5g13910ATGAACACAACATCATCAAAGAGC SEQ ID NO: 263 GGAGCCAAAGTAGTTGAAACCTTGSEQ ID NO: 264 At5g64530 GATGAATCTACCACCGGGATTTAGG SEQ ID NO: 265CGGTAAGCTTACTTCGTCAAGATC SEQ ID NO: 266 At2g33710 ATGCATAGCGGGAAGAGACCTCSEQ ID NO: 267 TTTTCGTCGTTTGTGGATACTAATG SEQ ID NO: 268 At1g53230GATGAAGAGAGATCATCATCATCATCATCA SEQ ID NO: 269 ATGGCGAGAATCGGATGAAGCSEQ ID NO: 270 At1g56010 GATGGAGACGGAAGAAGAGATGAAG SEQ ID NO: 271GCAATTCCAAACAGTGCTTGGAATAC SEQ ID NO: 272 At5g18560ATGGGTTTTGCTCTGATCCACC SEQ ID NO: 273 AAAGACTGAGTAGAAGCCTGTAGSEQ ID NO: 274 At5g67580 GATGGGTGCACCAAAGCAGAAGTGGACACC SEQ ID NO: 275CCAAGGATGATTACGGATCCTGAACTTCAA SEQ ID NO: 276 At5g24520GATGGATAATTCAGCTCCAGATTCGTTATC SEQ ID NO: 277AACTCTAAGGAGCTGCATTTTGTTAGCAAA SEQ ID NO: 278 At4g18390ATGATTGGAGATCTAATGAAG SEQ ID NO: 279 GAGACTGATAACCGGACACG SEQ ID NO: 280At1g69690 GATGAAGAGAGATCATCATCATCATCATCA SEQ ID NO: 281TCAGGAATGATGACTGGTGCTTCC SEQ ID NO: 282 At5g13330 ATGGTCTCCGCTCTCAGCCGSEQ ID NO: 283 TTATTCTCTTGGGTAGTTATAATAATTG SEQ ID NO: 284 At5g60970ATGAGATCAGGAGAATGTGATG SEQ ID NO: 285 AGAATCTGATTCATTATCGCTACSEQ ID NO: 286 At3g23220 GGGGATGTACGGACAGTGCAATATAG SEQ ID NO: 287GGGTATGAAACCAATAACTCATCAACACG SEQ ID NO: 288 At1g62700GATGAATTCGTTTTCACAAGTACCTCCTGG SEQ ID NO: 289GAGATCAATCTGACAACTTGAAGAAGTAGA SEQ ID NO: 290 At5g13330ATGGTCTCCGCTCTCAGCCG SEQ ID NO: 291 TTCTCTTGGGTAGTTATAATAATTGSEQ ID NO: 292 At1g22985 ATGAAACGAATTGTTCGAATTTCATTC SEQ ID NO: 293AACAACTTCTTCAGAAGCACCAC SEQ ID NO: 294 At5g09330GATGGGGAAAACTCAACTCGCTCCTGGATT SEQ ID NO: 295CATTTTTGGTCTATGTCTCATGGAAGCAGA SEQ ID NO: 296 At1g10200GGGATGGCGTTCGCAGGAACAACCCAGAAA SEQ ID NO: 297 AGCAGCGACGACTTTGTCCTTGGCGSEQ ID NO: 298 TG At1g61110 GATGGAAAACATGGGGGATTCGAGCATAG SEQ ID NO: 299TGAGTGCCAGTTCATGTTAGGAAGCTG SEQ ID NO: 300 At1g30210ATGGAGGTTGACGAAGACATTG SEQ ID NO: 301 TCTCCTTTCCTTTGCCTTGTCSEQ ID NO: 302 At5g40330 ATGAGAATGACAAGAGATGGAAAAG SEQ ID NO: 303AAGGCAATACCCATTAGTAAAATCCATCA SEQ ID NO: 304 TAG At5g13180GATGGATAATGTCAAACTTGTTAAGAATGG SEQ ID NO: 305TCTGAAACTATTGCAACTACTGGTCTCTTC SEQ ID NO: 306 At1g52880GATGGAGAGTACAGATTCTTCCGGTGGTCC SEQ ID NO: 307AGAATACCAATTCAAACCAGGCAATTGGTA SEQ ID NO: 308 At4g18450ATGGCTTTTGGCAATATCCAAG SEQ ID NO: 309 AAAAGAAGATAATAACGTCTCCSEQ ID NO: 310 At5g07580 ATGGCGAGTTTTGAGGAAAGC SEQ ID NO: 311AAATGCATCACAGGAAGATGAAG SEQ ID NO: 312 At1g74930 ATGGTGAAGCAAGCGATGAAGGSEQ ID NO: 313 AAAATCCCAAAGAATCAAAGATTC SEQ ID NO: 314 At4g36160GATGGAATCGGTGGATCAATCATGTAGTGT SEQ ID NO: 315AACATGTAAATCCCTATATAAGTCATAGTC SEQ ID NO: 316 At3g18550ATGAACAACAACATTTTCAGTACTAC SEQ ID NO: 317 ACTGTGTATAGCTTTAGATAAAACCSEQ ID NO: 318 At5g64750 ATGTGTGTCTTAAAAGTGGCAAATC SEQ ID NO: 319GGAGGATGGACTATTATTGTAG SEQ ID NO: 320 At2g02450 GATGGCGGCGATAGGAGAGAAAGSEQ ID NO: 321 CTTAAAAGGAATATTAGTATAGTG SEQ ID NO: 322 At2g42400GATGAAGAGAACACATTTGGCAAGTTTTAG SEQ ID NO: 323GAGGTAGCCTAGTCGAAGCTCCAAATCAAG SEQ ID NO: 324 At5g67300GATGGCTGATAGGATCAAAGGTCCATGGAG SEQ ID NO: 325CTCGATTCTCCCAACTCCAATTTGACTCAT SEQ ID NO: 326 At1g68800ATGTTTCCTTCTTTCATTACTCAC SEQ ID NO: 327 ATTAGGGTTTTTAGTTAACACATTGSEQ ID NO: 328 At1g14510 ATGGAAGGAATTCAGCATCC SEQ ID NO: 329GGCTTTCATTTTCTTGCTGG SEQ ID NO: 330 At1g25580 GATGGCTGGGCGATCATGGCTGATCSEQ ID NO: 331 CAGCAGCGTGGCAGTGTGTTGCC SEQ ID NO: 332 At5g18270GATGGCGGTTGTGGTTGAAGAAGG SEQ ID NO: 333 GAAGTCCCACAAGTCCCCCCTCSEQ ID NO: 334 At2g44840 ATGAGCTCATCTGATTCCGTTAATAAC SEQ ID NO: 335TATCCGATTATCAGAATAAGAACATTC SEQ ID NO: 336 At3g15500GATGGGTCTCCAAGAGCTTGACCCGTTAGC SEQ ID NO: 337AATAAACCCGAACCCACTAGATTGTTGACC SEQ ID NO: 338 At4g35580GATGCTGCAGTCTGCAGCACCAGAG SEQ ID NO: 339 TGAACTCACCAGTGTCCTCCATATACSEQ ID NO: 340 At4g01550 GATGGTGAAAGATCTGGTTGGG SEQ ID NO: 341TCTCTCGCGATCAAACTTCATCGC SEQ ID NO: 342 At4g37750ATGAAGTCTTTTTGTGATAATGATG SEQ ID NO: 343 AGAATCAGCCCAAGCAGCGAAAACCGGSEQ ID NO: 344 At1g52890 GATGGGTATCCAAGAAACTGACCCGTTAAC SEQ ID NO: 345CATAAACCCAAACCCACCAACTTGCCCCGA SEQ ID NO: 346 At2g17040GATGGTTTACGGTAAGAGATCGAG SEQ ID NO: 347 CCAATATATGTTAACTATTGGTGSEQ ID NO: 348 At2g33480 GATGGAGAAGAGGAGCTCTATTAAAAACAG SEQ ID NO: 349TAGAAACAAACAAAACTTATTTTCCCGATA SEQ ID NO: 350 At5g39610GATGGATTACGAGGCATCAAGAATC SEQ ID NO: 351 GAAATTCCAAACGCAATCCAATTCSEQ ID NO: 352 At1g32770 GATGGCTGATAATAAGGTCAATCTTTCGAT SEQ ID NO: 353TACAGATAAATGAAGAAGTGGGTCTAAAGA SEQ ID NO: 354 At5g47220GAIGTACGGACAGTGCAATATAGAATCCG SEQ ID NO: 355 TGAAACCAATAACTCATCAACACGTGTSEQ ID NO: 356 At1g56650 GGGATGGAGGGTTCGTCCAAAGGGCTUGCGA SEQ ID NO: 357ATCAAATTTCACAGTCTCTCCATCGAAAAG SEQ ID NO: 358 AAAGG ACTCC At1g63910GATGGGTCATCACTCATGCTGCAACCAGCA SEQ ID NO: 359AAACGAAGAAGGGAAAGAAGAAGATAAGGC SEQ ID NO: 360 At3g15510GATGGAGAGCACCGATTCTTCCGGTGGTCC SEQ ID NO: 361AGAAGAGTACCAATTTAAACCGGGTAATTG SEQ ID NO: 362 At2g45680ATGGCGACAATTCAGAAGCTTG SEQ ID NO: 363 GTGGTTCGATGACCGTGCTGSEQ ID NO: 364 At2g31230 ATGTATTCATCTCCAAGTTCTTGG SEQ ID NO: 365ACATGAGCTCATAAGAAGTTGTTC SEQ ID NO: 366 At1g12260GATGAATTCATTTTCCCACGTCCCTCCGGG SEQ ID NO: 367CTTCCATAGATCAATCTGACAACTCGAAGA SEQ ID NO: 368 At3g61910GATGAACATATCAGTAAACGGACAGTCACA SEQ ID NO: 369TCCACTACCGTTCAACAAGTGGCATGTCGT SEQ ID NO: 370 At5g07310ATGGCGAATTCAGGAAATTATGG SEQ ID NO: 371 AAAACCAGAATTAGGAGGTGAAGSEQ ID NO: 372 At3g14230 ATGTGTGGAGGAGCTATAATCTC SEQ ID NO: 373AAAGTCTCCTTCCAGCATGAAATTG SEQ ID NO: 374 At1g28160ATGGAGTTCAATGGTAATTTGAATG SEQ ID NO: 375 TTGGTAGAAGAATGTGGAGGGSEQ ID NO: 376 At1g69120 GATGGGAAGGGGTAGGGTTCAATTGAAGAG SEQ ID NO: 377TGCGGCGAAGCAGCCAAGGTTGCAGTTGTA SEQ ID NO: 378 At3g10490GATGGGTCGCGAATCTGTGGCTGTTG SEQ ID NO: 379 TTGTCCATTAGCATTGTTCTTCTTGSEQ ID NO: 380 At5g61600 ATGGCAACTAAACAAGAAGCTTTAG SEQ ID NO: 381AGTGACGGAGATAACGGAAAAG SEQ ID NO: 382 At1g43160 ATGGTGTCTATGCTGACTAATGSEQ ID NO: 383 ACCAAAAGAGGAGTAATTGTATTG SEQ ID NO: 384 At3g15210GGGGATGGCCAAGATGGGCTTGAAAC SEQ ID NO: 385 TCAGGCCTGTTCCGATGGAGGAGGCSEQ ID NO: 386 At4g08150 ATGGAAGAATACCAGCATGACAAC SEQ ID NO: 387TCATGGACCGAGACGATAAGGTCC SEQ ID NO: 388 At1g10200GGGATGGCGTTCGCAGGAACAACCCAGAAA SEQ ID NO: 389 TTAAGCAGCGACGACTTTGTCCSEQ ID NO: 390 TG

Production of Improved Transcription Factors

In order to add a repressor domain sequence to the 3′ terminal of atranscription factor gene encoded by a coding region DNA fragmentexcluding a termination codon, p35SSXG, which is a vector having an SmaIsite and a repressor domain sequence (amino acid sequence: GLDLDLELRLGFA(SEQ ID NO: 391)) downstream of a CaMV35S promoter, was used. In orderto link a transcription factor gene sequence and a repressor domainsequence, p35SSXG was cleaved with SmaI. Each PCR amplification fragmentencoding the relevant transcription factor obtained above was separatelyinserted at the cleavage site. Thus, vectors (each denoted byp35SSXG(TFs)) were produced. Here, each vector is denoted byp35SSXG(TFs), provided that “TFs” represents the AGI code for eachtranscription factor. For example, a vector having the transcriptionfactor specified by At2g23760 is denoted by p35SSXG(At2g23760). Also, inthe descriptions below, “TFs” is used in a similar manner to denotevectors and the like.

Construction of improved transcription factor expression vectors pBCKHwas used as a binary vector for gene introduction into plants withAgrobacterium. This vector was obtained by incorporating a casset of theGateway vector conversion system (Invitrogen) into the HindIII site ofpBIG(Hygr) (Nucleic Acids Res. 18,203 (1990)). In order to incorporatean improved transcription factor gene sequence into the vector, 181types of p35SSXG(TFs) were each separately mixed with the vector,followed by a recombination reaction using GATEWAY LR clonase(Invitrogen). Thus, vectors (each denoted by pBCKH-p35SSXG(TFs)) wereproduced.

In addition, for each transcription factor encoded by the relevantcoding region DNA fragment including a termination codon, the geneencoding the transcription factor was selected for introduction. Thus,vectors, in each of which the relevant DNA fragment was linkeddownstream of a 35S promoter in the manner described above, wereproduced.

Introduction of Improved Transcription Factor Gene Expression Vectorsand Transcription Factor Expression Vectors into Plants

Arabidopsis thaliana (Columbia (Col-0)) was used as a plant forintroduction of a transcription factor or an improved transcriptionfactor. Gene introduction was carried out in accordance with“Transformation of Arabidopsis thaliana by vacuum infiltration”(http://www.bch.msu.edu/pamgreen/protocol.htm). Note that each plant wasinfected only by immersing it in an Agrobacterium bacterial liquidwithout conducting depressurization treatment. Specifically, atranscription factor expression vector or an improved transcriptionfactor expression vector (pBCKH-p35SSXG(TFs)) was introduced into thesoil bacterium (Agrobacterium tumefaciens) strain (GV3101 (C58C1Rifr)pMP90 (Gmr), Koncz and Schell 1986)) by electroporation. For eachvector, gene-transfected bacterial cells were cultured in 1 liter of aYEP medium containing antibioitics (kanamycin (Km): 50 μg/ml; gentamicin(Gm): 25 μg/ml; and rifampicin (Rif): 50μg/ml)) until OD600 became 1.Subsequently, bacterial cells were recovered from each culture solutionand suspended in 1 liter of an infection medium (an infiltration mediumcontaining 2.2 g of an MS salt, 1× B5 vitamins, 50 g of sucrose, 0.5 gof MES, 0.044 μM of benzylaminopurine, and 400 μl of Silwet per litter(pH 5.7)).

Arabidopsis thaliana plants cultivated for 14 days were immersed in eachsolution for 1 minute for infection. Thereafter, the plants werecontinuously cultivated to result in seed setting. The collected seeds(T1 seeds) were sterilized in a solution containing 50% bleech and 0.02%Triton X-100 for 7 minutes, rinsed 3 times with sterilized water, andseeded on a sterilized hygromycin selection medium (containing a 4.3 g/lMS salt, 0.5% sucrose, 0.5 g/l MES (pH 5.7), 0.8% agar, 30 mg/lhygromycin, and 250 mg/l vancomycin). Five to ten lines of thetransformed plants (T1 plants) growing on the hygromycin plate wereselected for each improved transcription gene and transplanted into pots(each with a diameter of 50 mm) containing vermiculite mixed soil. Then,the plants were cultivated under conditions of 22° C. for 16 hours inthe light and 8 hours in the dark at a light intensity ranging fromabout 60 to 80 μE/cm². Thus, seeds (T2 seeds) were obtained.

Analysis of T2 Seeds

Forty seeds were weighed and put into a 1.5-ml PP microtest tube foreach of the transformants and wild-type Arabidopsis thaliana, which hadbeen transfected with the relevant improved transcription factor ortranscription factor. Further, a Tungsten Carbide Bead (3 mm) (QIAGEN)was put into each tube, followed by disruption by shaking at a frequencyof 1/30 for 1 minute using a Mixer Mill MM 300 (Qiagen). Afterdisruption, 50 μl of extraction buffer (62.5 mM Tris-HCl, 2% SDS, 10%glycerol, and 5% 2-mercaptethanol) was added thereto, followed byanother instance of disruption by shaking for 1 minute. Afterdisruption, each tube was allowed to stand on ice for 10 minutes,followed by centrifugation at 15000 rpm for 10 minutes. Each obtainedsupernatant was subjected to quantitative protein determination.

Quantitative protein determination for the prepared extracts was carriedout using RC DC Protein Assay Kits (Bio-Rad) according to themanufacturer's instructions. The protein concentration was determinedbased on a calibration curve derived from BSA (bovine serum albumin).

In addition, 34 individuals of the wild strain (Col-0) were cultivatedand seeds were collected from each individual. The protein content wasdetermined for each line by quantitative analysis. Then, the averageprotein content was obtained. Thereafter, the average protein content ofeach transgenic individual was compared with the average protein contentof the wild strain. The protein content increase rate for eachgene-transfected line and the t-test P value were determined. Each linewas found to exhibit improvement or reduction of seed protein content by20% or more when compared with a wild-type strain. However, the P valuewas found to be 5% or less for each comparison.

Table 6 lists the analysis results for each line that was found toexhibit improvement of seed protein content by 20% or more as a resultof introduction of the relevant improved transcription factor whencompared with the wild-type strain. Table 7 lists the analysis resultsfor each line that were found to exhibit improvement of seed proteincontent by 20% or more as a result of introduction of the gene encodingthe relevant transcription factor when compared with the wild-typestrain.

TABLE 6 Protein Increase- Reference content decrease AGI code number (%)rate (%) WT(Col-0) 16.3% — 1 At2g23760 HR0530 25.7% 57.5% 2 At1g18330CR711 25.2% 54.2% 3 At2g02070 HR0489 23.9% 46.3% 4 At1g12980 TP120 22.6%38.7% 5 At5g62380 CR604 22.5% 38.2% 6 At4g23750 CR034 21.8% 33.7% 7At4g32800 CR504 21.6% 32.1% 8 At1g24590 CR019 21.4% 31.3% 9 At5g07690HR0040 21.2% 29.8% 10 At1g71692 CR412 21.0% 28.9% 11 At1g52150 HR061120.9% 27.9% 12 At3g25890 CR029 20.4% 24.9% 13 At1g09540 CR705 20.4%24.8% 14 At5g22380 CR229 20.3% 24.5% 15 At2g44940 CR505 20.3% 24.1% 16At5g41030 CR131 20.2% 23.6% 17 At5g60970 CR116 20.1% 23.1% 18 At5g35550CR701 20.0% 22.4% 19 At1g60240 CR623 19.9% 22.2% 20 At2g23290 HR001819.9% 21.8% 21 At5g14000 CR223 19.7% 20.9% 22 At1g19490 HR0001 19.6%20.2%

TABLE 7 Protein Increase- Reference content decrease rate AGI codenumber (%) (%) WT(Col-0) 16.3% — 1 At3g04070 CR312 22.1% 35.7% 2At2g46770 CR308 21.0% 28.6% 3 At5g35550 CR903 21.0% 28.5%

Table 8 lists the analysis results for each line that was found toexhibit reduction of seed protein content by 20% or more as a result ofintroduction of the relevant improved transcription factor when comparedwith the wild-type strain. Table 9 lists the analysis results for eachline that were found to exhibit reduction of seed protein content by 20%or more as a result of introduction of the gene encoding the relevanttranscription factor when compared with a wild-type strain.

TABLE 8 Protein Increase- Reference content decrease rate AGI codenumber (%) (%) WT(Col-0) 16.3% 0.0% 1 At1g32770 CR250 12.8% −21.6% 2At5g47220 TP100 12.8% −21.6% 3 At1g56650 TP107 12.7% −22.2% 4 At1g63910HR1722 12.5% −23.5% 5 At3g15510 CR245 12.5% −23.7% 6 At2g45680 CR12112.4% −24.3% 7 At2g31230 CR006 12.2% −25.2% 8 At1g12260 CR232 12.1%−25.6% 9 At3g61910 CR601 11.9% −27.3% 10 At5g07310 CR008 11.9% −27.3% 11At3g14230 CR014 11.9% −27.3% 12 At1g28160 CR020 11.8% −27.4% 13At1g69120 CR404 11.8% −27.6% 14 At3g10490 CR220 11.8% −27.7% 15At5g61600 CR001 11.5% −29.7% 16 At1g43160 CR015 10.9% −33.1%

TABLE 9 Protein Increase- Reference content decrease rate AGI codenumber (%) (%) WT(Col-0) 16.3% 0.0% 1 At1g10200 TP106 13.0% −20.5%

In addition, T2 seeds of a line (HR0530) (into which the improvedtranscription factor (At2g23760) listed in FIG. 6 with the resultsdemonstrating the largest increase in protein content had beenintroduced) were cultivated, followed by re-evaluation of the proteincontent. Table 10 lists the results. As shown in table 10, it was alsopossible to confirm an increase in protein content for T3 seeds. Inparticular, the protein content was found to be up to 43% higher thanthat of the wild-type line. In addition, it was confirmed that SDS-PAGEcaused no changes in seed protein composition (not shown).

TABLE 10 In- In Protein creas- Increas- Total creas- concen- ing Proteining protein ing tration rate content rate amount rate (mg/ml) (%) (%)(%) (mg) (%) Average of WT 1.6 26.6 71.8 (10 individuals) HR0530-23-42.4 46.3 36.9 38.5 90.7 26.3 HR0530-23-10 2.3 43.0 39.4 48.2 130.1 81.1HR0530-23-8 2.3 39.6 39.0 46.7 103.9 44.7

As described above, the expression of SRDX-added chimeric proteinsformed with 141 types of transcription factors was induced in thisanalysis. Results showed that the seed storage protein content increasedby 20% or more as a result of expression of 22 types of chimericproteins (accounting for 15.6% of the analyzed transcription factors),while the seed storage protein content decreased by 20% or more as aresult of expression of 16 types of chimeric proteins (accounting for11.3% of the analyzed transcription factors). That is to say, the seedstorage protein content was found to have remarkably increased ordecreased as a result of expression of approximately 27% of the chimericproteins. In other words, it was found that approximately 73% of thetranscription factors (e.g., At3g23220, At1g18570, At3g01530, At5g51190,At4g34410, At5g22290, and At3g04420) subjected to the experiments in theExamples do not cause remarkable changes in seed protein content evenwhen a chimeric protein comprising such a transcription factor and arepressor domain is expressed or such a transcription factor isoverexpressed.

As described above, the Examples revealed that the seed protein contentcan be significantly modified by causing expression of a particulartranscription factor fused with a repressor domain, introducing a geneencoding a particular transcription factor, or modifying an expressioncontrol region of such gene.

In addition, in order to increase or decrease the seed protein contentwith the use of the above functionally improved transcription factors,it is expected that it will become possible to further modify thestorage protein content to a remarkable extent with the simultaneous useof transcription factors and a known method for modifying a seed storageprotein by modifying the nitrogen metabolic pathway, the fatty acidmetabolic pathway, or transcription factors.

All publications, patents, and patent applications cited herein areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

1-11. (canceled)
 12. A method for significantly improving or reducingmaterial productivity per an individual by causing expression of achimeric protein obtained by fusing a transcription factor consisting ofany one of the following proteins (a) to (c) and a functional peptidecapable of converting an arbitrary transcription factor into atranscriptional repressor in a plant: (a) a protein comprising any aminoacid listed in the following table; Nucleotide Amino acid AGI codesequence sequence AT2G23760 SEQ ID NO: 1 SEQ ID NO: 2 AT1G18330 SEQ IDNO: 3 SEQ ID NO: 4 AT2G02070 SEQ ID NO: 5 SEQ ID NO: 6 AT1G12980 SEQ IDNO: 7 SEQ ID NO: 8 AT5G62380 SEQ ID NO: 9 SEQ ID NO: 10 AT1G28160 SEQ IDNO: 67 SEQ ID NO: 68 AT1G69120 SEQ ID NO: 69 SEQ ID NO: 70 AT3G10490 SEQID NO: 71 SEQ ID NO: 72 AT5G61600 SEQ ID NO: 73 SEQ ID NO: 74 AT1G43160SEQ ID NO: 75 SEQ ID NO: 76

(b) a protein having transactivation activity and comprising an aminoacid sequence that has a deletion, a substitution, an addition, or aninsertion of one or a plurality of amino acids with respect to any aminoacid sequence listed in the above table; and (c) a protein havingtransactivation activity encoded by a polynucleotide that hybridizesunder stringent conditions to a polynucleotide consisting of anucleotide sequence complementary to any nucleotide sequence listed inthe above table.
 13. The method according to claim 12, whereintransactivation activity of the transcription factor is repressed. 14.The method according to claim 12, wherein the chimeric protein hastranscriptional repressor activity.
 15. The method according to claim12, wherein the functional peptide has an amino acid sequence expressedby any one of the following formulae (1) to (8): (1)X1-Leu-Asp-Leu-X2-Leu-X3 (SEQ ID NO: 392 with deletion of 0-10 residuesfrom the N-terminus) (where X1 denotes a set of 0 to 10 amino acidresidues, X2 denotes Asn or Glu, and X3 denotes a set of at least 6amino acid residues); (2) Y1-Phe-Asp-Leu-Asn-Y2-Y3 (SEQ ID NO: 393 withdeletion of 0-10 residues from the N-terminus (where Y1 denotes a set of0 to 10 amino acid residues, Y2 denotes Phe or Ile, and Y3 denotes a setof at least 6 amino acid residues); (3) Z1-Asp-Leu-Z2-Leu-Arg-Leu-Z3(SEQ ID NO: 394 with deletion of 0-10 residues from the C-terminus anddeletion of 0-2 residues from the N-terminus) (where Z1 denotes Leu,Asp-Leu, or Leu-Asp-Leu, Z2 denotes Glu, Gln, or Asp, and Z3 denotes aset of 0 to 10 amino acid residues); (4) Asp-Leu-Z4-Leu-Arg-Leu (whereZ4 denotes Glu, Gln, or Asp) (residues 4-9 of SEQ ID NO : 394); (5)α1-Leu-β1-Leu-γ1-Leu (SEQ ID NO: 395); (6) α1-Leu-β1-Leu-γ2-Leu (SEQ IDNO: 396); (7) α1-Leu-β2-Leu-Arg-Leu (SEQ ID NO: 397); and (8)α2-Leu-β1-Leu-Arg-Leu (SEQ ID NO: 398) (where α1 denotes Asp, Asn, Glu,Gln, Thr, or Ser, α2 denotes Asn, Glu, Gln, Thr, or Ser, β1 denotes Asp,Gln, Asn, Arg, Glu, Thr, Ser, or His, β2 denotes Asn, Arg, Thr, Ser, orHis, γ1 denotes Arg, Gln, Asn, Thr, Ser, His, Lys, or Asp, and γ2denotes Gln, Asn, Thr, Ser, His, Lys, or Asp in formulae (5) to (8)).16. The plant according to claim 12, wherein material productivity peran individual is productivity of a protein in seeds.